KEY EVENTS IN JEFFERSON'S PRESIDENCY
The Louisiana Purchase was a huge event in Jefferson's presidency. The original plan was to give the French $10 million for the city of New Orleans, because whoever controls the port of New Orleans controls trade on the Mississippi River. The French came back saying that for $15 million they would give us the whole Louisiana Territory. This means that we bought the territory for 3 cents an acre. The French country was in a poor state after Napolean's quest to take over the world - they needed more money to support the government and less land to take care of.
Thomas Jefferson won the bitter election of 1800. His Vice President was Aaron Burr. Our John Adams Administration page tells more about the election of 1800.
KEY EVENTS IN JEFFERSON'S PRESIDENCY
The Louisiana Purchase was a huge event in Jefferson's presidency. The original plan was to give the French $10 million for the city of New Orleans, because whoever controls the port of New Orleans controls trade on the Mississippi River. The French came back saying that for $15 million they would give us the whole Louisiana Territory. This means that we bought the territory for 3 cents an acre. The French country was in a poor state after Napolean's quest to take over the world - they needed more money to support the government and less land to take care of.